What You Need to Repair a Leaky Roof
Roof Flashing and Shingles
You will need both roof flashing and shingles to repair a leaky roof. Once you have found a leak, you will need to remove the shingles and flashing that are over the leak so you can install new shingles and flashing. If you are not familiar with roof flashing, roof flashing is designed to protect homes from the outside elements. Generally speaking, roof flashing is made out of galvanized steel or aluminum, which is why you will want to cover it with shingles. Many people do not realize that having improper roof flashing is actually the number one causes of leaks in residential homes. Roof flashing is sometimes only used on roof joints, but it is very beneficial to repairing a leaky roof, as well.
Roofing Nails
Of course, you are going to need something to attach the roof flashing and shingles to your home. That is where roofing nails come into play. You should only use roofing nails to fix your leaky roof. Unlike other types of nails, roofing nails have wide heads, which prevents the nail from pulling through. Roofing nails also have a threading on them that is similar to screws, which means they have a tighter hold than say, drywall or common nails. Roofing nails are also made out of galvanized or stainless steel, which will prevent them from rusting when they come in contact with rain. You will notice that there are different length roofing nails available once you start shopping around. As a general rule, you want to purchase a roofing nail that is at least 2 inches long.
Roof Cement
Roof cement is the key component to repairing a leaky roof and preventing a new leak from developing. You can purchase regular roof cement or rubber flashing cement. Both are designed to be used in wet or dry conditions and both will stop leaks immediately. To create the perfect seal, you can put roof cement under both the flashing and shingles before your nail them down. Roof cement can be expensive, but don't let that stop you from being generous when you apply it. It is a pain having to climb up onto your roof, so you want to make sure that your fix will last many years.
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